Thoracic surgery may improve outcome for bilateral cavitary multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant TBBackground: Treatment for multidrug (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB remains a challenge to public health.Methods: A retrospective case study was carried out to estimate value of adjunctive surgery for bilateral cavitary MDR and XDR TB.Results: We identified 57 consecutive patients, 44(77.2%) were males, aged 18 to 61. Twenty-two (38.6%) cases were MDR TB, and 35(72.4%) were XDR TB, all confirmed with cultures. Fifty one patients were smear-positive. Best available TB treatment was performed before and after surgery. Patients were divided to groups by the extent of disease and performed surgery.In group A (n=8...Source: European Respiratory Journal - December 6, 2017 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Marfina, G., Vladimirov, K., Kudriashov, G., Starshinova, A., Sokolovich, E., Yablonskii, P., Avetisian, A. Tags: Tuberculosis Source Type: research

Platelets roll and adhere to the vascular bed in response to allergen challenge in allergic miceIn an allergic inflammatory disease such as asthma, platelets can migrate through lungs in response to allergen (Pitchford, S. et al. Am J Resp Crit Care Med 2008; 177:604-612). Platelet activity and their interaction with the endothelium in response to allergen requires further investigation. The aim of this study was to investigate the vascular interactions of platelets in allergic mice following allergen challenge using intravital microscopy of the mouse cremaster muscle (CM) to visualize platelets in real time.Mice were sensitised intra-nasally with 25 μg house dust mite extract (HDM), 10 times over 2 weeks. 100 &mu...Source: European Respiratory Journal - December 6, 2017 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Shah, S., Riffo Vasquez, Y., Page, C., Pitchford, S. Tags: Allergy and immunology Source Type: research

Evaluation of sleep architecture in patients recovering from critical care illness (CCI)Introduction: Sleep disruption is a well known problem among critically ill patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) which persist during recovery and after transfer to step down unit (SDU).Aim: To evaluate patterns of sleep in patients recovering from CCI and factors (noise, light) affecting sleep.Materials and Methods: 24 hr polysomnography (PSG) study was done in patients recovering from CCI in ICU with simultaneous recording of noise, light and nursing care activities and repeated after shifting to step down unit (SDU).Results: 26 patients underwent PSG study in ICU and then in SDU. Mean APACHE II and SOFA Score were 1...Source: European Respiratory Journal - December 6, 2017 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Prajapat, B., Chaudhry, D., Sandhya, A. S. Tags: Sleep and Control of Breathing Source Type: research

Association between COPD and OSA: impact on cardiorespiratory dynamics during sleepIntroduction: Nocturnal hypoxemia observed in the overlap between OSA and COPD may have an association with the development of cardiovascular consequences. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of overlap COPD+OSA on heart rate variability (HRV) and cardiorespiratory coupling (CRC) during sleep.Methods: After overnight polysomnography, 113 subjects were divided in groups: 24 COPD (GOLD 2-4); 29 COPD+OSA (GOLD 2-4) and (AHI= 55±23); 30 OSA (AHI= 37±20) and 30 controls. Conducted linear and Poincare analysis of R-R intervals (RRi) and bivariate analysis on the tachogram and the respirogram portion...Source: European Respiratory Journal - December 6, 2017 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Trimer, R., Cabiddu, R., Mendes, R. G., Costa, F. S. M., Oliveira Junior, A. D., Bianchi, A. M., Borghi-Silva, A. Tags: Sleep and Control of Breathing Source Type: research

Sleep-disordered breathing and pregnancy-induced hypertension in women with and those without obesityIntroduction: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a potential risk factor for pregnancy-induced complications.Aim: The present study investigated the relationship between SDB and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), by examining nocturnal sleep and respiratory conditions in pregnant women with and those without obesity.Methods: The study involved 14 pregnant women with body mass index (BMI: kg/m2) ≥ 30 (mean age, 31.6 years; group 1), 15 pregnant women with BMISource: European Respiratory Journal - December 6, 2017 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Ura, M., Fujimoto, K. Tags: Sleep and Control of Breathing Source Type: research

Arterial stiffness and obstructive sleep apnea in the elderly - the PROOF cohort studyConclusions: In this sample of older healthy subjects, PWV is not affected by AHI and ODI and was not associated to the presence of hypertension. These results may suggest potential protective and adaptive mechanisms in older subjects. (Source: European Respiratory Journal)Source: European Respiratory Journal - December 6, 2017 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Roche, F., Hupin, D., Millasseau, S., Barthelemy, J. C., Sforza, E. Tags: Sleep and Control of Breathing Source Type: research

The change of heat shock protein in tobacco users and clinical and laboratory characteristics as markers to evaluate the pathophysiological process promoted by cigaretteExperimental and clinical studies have provided increasing scientific evidence to demonstrate that heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is an important marker for many diseases. However, no consensus was reached as to function of that protein inside the prognosis of asymptomatic smokers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate levels of peripheral blood HSP 70 in 40 smokers (mean age 36± 8,49 years) and to compare with 40 healthy individuals non-smokers (mean age 35±7,29 years) and the haematological and physiological parameters, who comsumed a pack per day for used at least 10 years. Peripheral blood were ...Source: European Respiratory Journal - December 6, 2017 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Moreira Santos, T. M., Godoy, I., Castro Marcondes, J. P., Tanni Minamoto, S. E., Garcia, T., Godoy, I. Tags: Tobacco, Smoking Control and Health Education Source Type: research

Urinal expression profile of miRNAs after smoking cessation in healthy subjects: a pilot studyBackground: Cigarette smoking and respiratory diseases due to chronic smoking have been associated with several alterations in lung expression of miRNAs; small single-stranded non-coding ribonucleic acids. Although cigarette smoking affects primarily lung tissue, several chemical components of cigarette smoke are present in circulation and even in urinal samples indicating its possible systemic effect. However, there are no data on urinal miRNAs expression and smoking. Hereby we tested urine for presence of miRNAs and searched for possible effect of smoking cessation.Method: Affymetrix miRNA 4.0 arrays with 2.578 mature mi...Source: European Respiratory Journal - December 6, 2017 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Navratilova, Z., Chabronova, A., Losse, S., Kolek, V., Petrek, M. Tags: Tobacco, Smoking Control and Health Education Source Type: research

Phthalates trigger respiratory reflexesEpidemiological studies suggest that environmental exposure to Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), a commonly used plasticiser, found in flooring, cosmetics and food packaging, is linked with worsening or development of asthma (Bølling EXCLIJ:2013,12,733-59). DBP can accumulate in lung tissues and has been previously shown to activate some of the Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) family of ion channels expressed on airway sensory nerves (Shiba J Neuroimm:2009,66-74). Activation of these nerves can lead to respiratory reflexes which are exacerbated in asthma, such as cough and bronchospasm. The aim of this study was to investi...Source: European Respiratory Journal - December 6, 2017 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Bolaji, J. A., Bonvini, S. J., Wortley, M. A., Adcock, J. J., Dubuis, E., Carlsten, C., Tetley, T. D., Birrell, M. A., Belvisi, M. G. Tags: Occupational and Environmental Health Source Type: research

Respiratory symptoms in adults living in pesticides applied fieldsIntroduction: The effects of pesticide application on the health of the individuals living in the same environment should be considered as a public health problem.Objective: We aimed to compare respiratory complaints and respiratory functions of people living in agricultural areas, before and after pesticide application which cause air pollution.Materials and Methods: Two hundred and fifty two individuals (144 women, 108 men) living in Sanliurfa Province in Turkey (widespread cotton farming area) were asked about respiratory and systemic complaints, lung function tests were applied. After administration of pesticide, 66 in...Source: European Respiratory Journal - December 6, 2017 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Sak, Z. H. A., Kurtulus, S., Ocaklı, B., Töreyin, Z. N., Bayhan, I., Yesilnacar, M. I., Akgün, M., Arbak, P. Tags: Occupational and Environmental Health Source Type: research

Respiratory health of children in pesticide applied areasIntroduction: The increasing incidence of asthma and chronic respiratory diseases among children living in pesticides applied areas has been shown.Objective: It is aimed to evaluate the effects of PM2.5 and PM10 air pollution caused by pesticide application on children's respiratory system.Materials and Methods: In Sanliurfa cotton producer province of Turkey, 266 children (126 girls, 140 boys) were included in the study in June and August 2016. Peak expiratory flow (PEF) were measured in children before and after the administration of pesticide, respiratory complaints were recorded. PM2.5, PM10, temperature and humidity w...Source: European Respiratory Journal - December 6, 2017 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Sak, Z. H. A., Kurtulus, S., Ocaklı, B., Töreyin, Z. N., Bayhan, I., Yesilnacar, M. I., Akgün, M., Arbak, P. Tags: Occupational and Environmental Health Source Type: research

Association between job title, occupational exposures, and incidence of asthmaConclusion: The combination of nationwide high quality public databases about occupational activity and of asthma provides a unique opportunity to investigate the influence of work on the occurrence and worsening of the disease. (Source: European Respiratory Journal)Source: European Respiratory Journal - December 6, 2017 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Baelum, J., Meyer, H. W., Flachs, E. M., Bräuner, E. V., Bonde, J. P., Schlünssen, V., Backer, V. Tags: Occupational and Environmental Health Source Type: research

Serial FEV1 measurements: an improved diagnostic tool for occupational asthma?Conclusions: The ABC FEV1 score is less sensitive and specific in the diagnosis of OA compared to the ABC PEF score, probably due to the greater reproducibility of self-recorded PEF measurement. The continued use of serial PEF measurements in the diagnosis of OA is recommended. (Source: European Respiratory Journal)Source: European Respiratory Journal - December 6, 2017 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Parkes, E., Moore, V., Walters, G., Robertson, A., Burge, S. Tags: Occupational and Environmental Health Source Type: research

Asthma in military personnel: appropriate diagnosis and treatment allows for continuous deploymentConclusions: At referral, the majority of recruits were on no medication or inhaled SABA only. Appropriate treatment allowed a return to unrestricted duties in most cases. Prompt referral for investigation and titration of treatment is likely to reduce time out of service.1) Dickinson JW et al. Impact of changes in the IOC-MC asthma criteria: a British perspective. Thorax. 2005;60(8):629-32. (Source: European Respiratory Journal)Source: European Respiratory Journal - December 6, 2017 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Charlton, T., Davidson, J., Buckley, A., Bradley, B., Orhan, O., Davies, G., Nanzer, A. Tags: Occupational and Environmental Health Source Type: research

Seasonal dynamics of the quality of life of asthmatics with osmotic airway hyperresponsivenessBackground: The changes in the quality of life (QoL) in the seasons with different humidity can be expected in the people with osmotic airway hyperresponsiveness (OAH). Aim was to assess QoL in asthmatics with OAH in contrast seasons of the year.Methods: 65 asthma patients with OAH were examined in the wet (July-August) and relatively dry seasons (April, May, October). QoL was assessed using SF-36, AQLQ, the level of anxiety by HADS. OAH was diagnosed if the fall of FEV1 was by more than 10% from baseline after 3-minute inhalation with ultrasound-nebulized distilled water.Results: QoL was significantly worse in the wet sea...Source: European Respiratory Journal - December 6, 2017 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Perelman, J. M., Perelman, N. L. Tags: Occupational and Environmental Health Source Type: research